Question
I have read some of the other responses on Yucca plants and they say to only water every three weeks to a month. They don't however say how much to water. I don't know how old my plant is as I got it from a neighbor that moved, but I transplanted it into a 20" pot and put it in top soil that has a sandy consistance. it is top heavy as it leans and is about 7-8 feet tall. I keep it indoors (maybe will put it outdoors in summer as another responder suggested). Before transplanting it had those gnats, and I was told to hose off the roots. I did and put in the new top soil as previously mentioned. Now, I am wondering how much to water it every three weeks to a month? Thanks. Laurel

Answer
Hi Laurel,

Perhaps you are confusing me with the advice you received from someone else. Unfortunately, you have been acting on some very poor information.

Yuccas, like other plants, should not be put on a set calendar schedule. In general, you should allow the top third of the soil to dry out in between waterings. Depending on the plant, that might take 5 days or it might take a month. When you do water, always add enough water to saturate the rootball or until a little water trickles through the drainage hole. That amount will vary with the plant and the amount and texture of the soil.

A newly acquired plant should never be replanted as it simply adds to the stress. In addition, a 20" pot is probably way too large for your Yucca. It is better to use a peat-based soilless potting mix and washing the soil from the roots is an extreme measure that is almost never warranted. I am sorry that anyone made those suggestions to you because they have created major problems for you and your Yucca.

The problem is that many of the tiny root hairs that were damaged during the soil removal do most of the work and are no longer functional. That combined with a soil that is probably too heavy and a pot that is too large means that the soil around the roots will stay too moist for too long. This will probably lead to gradual root rot and then the plant will die.

What can you do at this point? The damaged root hairs will have to heal themselves. I suggest that you remove as much soil as possible and move the plant into the smallest terra cotta pot that the roots and a small amount of soil will fit into. The soil needs to be very porous so that it will dry out more quickly. The goal of using porous soil and a small pot is so that the soil and roots dry out frequently - ideally within every 7 to 10 days.

I am sorry I don't have better news for you and simpler solutions, but you have already been victimized by bad advice and I don't not want to add to that.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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